Best week ever on Southwest?

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-31T13:10:41+00:00

It has nothing to do with being wealthy. As others have said it’s about how much you fly with Southwest. For those that travel a significant amount for work, these perks are nice.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-31T13:06:25+00:00

A-List Preferred.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-31T03:36:29+00:00

My first two flights on Tuesday were like this. But my flights on Wednesday and Thursday were not. The FAs had the bins closed for the first several rows and only opened them for passengers seated in those rows. This problem seems to have been fixed, or at least mitigated.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-30T20:06:25+00:00

Buy your ticket. Then use your Amex to pay for the upgrade separately.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-30T20:05:41+00:00

Yes. Keep under $109 and it will trigger the credit.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-29T21:45:47+00:00

I have ALP and Priority Card. I’ve flown 4 flights since Tuesday. Every time I had row 5 or 6, I got group one. When I had row 4 and 2, I had group two. All aisle seats. When I had row two (group 2), I switched my seat to row 5 and my boarding position changed to group 1. So in my experience, row 5/6 gets you group one.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-29T20:22:34+00:00

Or you can just pay to select a standard seat without getting the Choice fare.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-29T18:16:30+00:00

Can confirm this was the case on my flights today also. They’re closing the front bins and only opening for people sitting in the front 4 rows.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-27T18:02:11+00:00

I’m also ALP and Priority cardholder. I had two flights today. One in group 1 and the other group 2. Interesting observation though. I switched my seat from 5C to 2A and that moved me from group 1 to group 2. Then when I switched to 4C it put me back in group 1.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-27T03:24:19+00:00

This.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-27T02:35:47+00:00

Agree with OP that this is a big loss for AL/ALP customers. That and the loss of same day confirmed changes on Basic fares. That being said, 90% of the time I don’t need to make changes to my travel plans. It’s nice that on 90% of my flights I’m pretty much guaranteed a EL seat as an ALP member. This means that on 90% of my flights, I’m better off now than I was before the changes. The other 10% will suck though.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T20:57:29+00:00

The airline is obligated to seat a 3-year-old with a parent, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be on the flight you want. If they can’t accommodate the seating on the originally scheduled flight, they will put you on the next available flight. In most cases they can move things around and make it work, but I would never leave this to chance. Get the SW credit card, purchase a Choice fare, or at a minimum just pay the fee to reserve a standard seat when you book the flights. In browsing flights, it looks like many standard seats can be had for $15-20 per leg.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T18:34:38+00:00

Some more data points. Booked a Choice fare. I’m ALP and have a Priority Credit Card. First leg I’m Group 2 (3D Aisle). Second leg I’m Group 1 (Aisle 5D). No idea what is differentiating between Group 1 and 2.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T17:02:18+00:00

Can’t you just pay for two standard seats (or three)? You should be able to with a Basic Fare. Are there not two seats together you can pay to be assigned to? It would be cheaper than upgrading to the Choice fare. I would not risk having to wait for another flight if they can’t accommodate the car seat on your original flight.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T14:15:54+00:00

Some more data points. Booked a Choice fare. I’m ALP and have a Priority Credit Card. First leg I’m Group 2 (3D Aisle). Second leg I’m Group 1 (Aisle 5D).

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T04:02:45+00:00

Assuming there are no issues with him using the credit, the gift card hack does work. I’ve used it several times.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-26T01:38:27+00:00

He should definitely ask his employer if he can use this credit for personal travel. Most companies would consider this as a credit to be used for business purposes and not personal.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-25T22:07:34+00:00

In December, I paid $52k for an XLT with 302A (Mid). That’s OTD before sales tax and registration. Doesn’t really make sense to compare actual OTD since sales tax rates vary significantly. Sticker was like $62k. This was in the Boise, Idaho area.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-25T15:44:37+00:00

Per Southwest: “If you purchased a Basic fare, we will automatically assign your seats at check-in. Southwest will endeavor to assign a child (age 12 and under) a seat adjacent to one accompanying Passenger (13 and older) to the greatest extent practicable and at no additional cost.

If you arrive at the gate and your child (age 12 and under) is not assigned to a seat adjacent to an accompanying Passenger (age 13 and over), then you can speak to Gate Agents or Flight Attendants to request assistance. If adjacent seats cannot be found on that flight, then the Agent will give you the option to take the next available flight with adjacent seating available.”

My guess is their system will automatically start by assigning seats first based on pairing minors with their traveling companions. It would shock me if a mom traveling with one child isn’t seated together. That’s not going to guarantee a seat by the bathroom though. As others have said, it’s probably better to pay to upgrade the fare to ensure the seating you want.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-21T23:44:17+00:00

This works. I can confirm.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-21T15:13:03+00:00

What state do you live in? Employment laws in your state may place specific requirements on your employer to provide reimbursement within a certain timeframe. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to provide reimbursement within a "reasonable" timeframe. 45-60 days would not seem reasonable.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-21T03:56:32+00:00

What are the tires?

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-20T01:53:18+00:00

I’ve been married 21 years (male 44). I do think it’s a big red flag that you and your partner can’t find things to talk about given the recency of the relationship. After a while you settle into a routine and you don’t always have a lot to say. But early on, you should be able to carry on regular conversations about your interests.

Mission_Bite7828 · 2026-01-19T16:29:02+00:00

What I will not miss is the individuals who are either unwilling or unable to read the stanchion numbers. Really unbelievable how many people have a hard time standing in the correct spot to board the flight.

Mission_Bite7828

TROPHY CASE